Chapter 11: Comfort

Through tear-blurred eyes,She saw those cold, moonlit eyes gazing at her.
The moonlight outlined the other’s exquisite profile and aloof figure, like a fairy descending to the mortal realm, starkly contrasting with Qing Wan’s current disheveled state.
It was Senior Sister… Elder Luyue!
“Why is the Elder here?”“Shouldn’t she… be celebrating Brother Chu’s victory or guiding her new named disciple?”
A surge of panic and inferiority gripped Qing Wan.
She scrambled to wipe her tears and stand, but her legs, numb from squatting too long, combined with her emotional turmoil, made her stumble, nearly falling.
“No need to panic.” Shu Yue instinctively reached out, steadily supporting her arm.
The touch revealed a fragility so delicate it seemed it might break with the slightest force.
“How is she so thin? Is the sect starving her? No, it must be Liu Qingxu and her group upsetting her. Damn it!”
Qing Wan, barely steady, hurriedly lowered her head, not daring to meet Shu Yue’s gaze, her voice thick with sobs. “El-Elder… Why are you here… I’m sorry, I’ll go back to training…”
She only wanted to flee, to escape the embarrassment of her Senior Sister seeing her in such a pitiful state.
But Shu Yue didn’t let go, staring at the crown of her head and the tears falling to the ground, her faint irritation and helplessness oddly morphing into a clumsy urge to comfort.
“Why are you crying?” Shu Yue kept her voice calm and even, as if asking about something mundane.
“Because you lost the competition?”
Qing Wan shook her head vigorously, tears falling harder.
“Then why?” Shu Yue asked, though she already knew.
Qing Wan bit her lip, silent for a long moment before speaking in a faint, halting voice. “I… I’m too useless… I’ve disgraced the Elder…”
“Brother Chu… he’s so impressive… everyone looks at him… He’s the one… who deserves to be a disciple of Jinghong Peak…”
The more she spoke, the sadder she grew, her voice trembling with barely suppressed sobs. “I… I only cause trouble for the Elder… Sister Liu and the others are right… I’m not… not worthy at all…”
“Nonsense!”
A sharp, cold rebuke cut through Qing Wan’s self-pity.
Qing Wan froze, forgetting her tears, and looked up in a daze.
Shu Yue’s face was frosted over, her tone unprecedentedly stern. “The path of cultivation—is it defined by a single day or a single battle’s outcome? Can others’ words so easily shake your resolve?”
‘Was my tone too harsh? Will she cry again?’‘But I’m right! How can a young girl think like this!’
Qing Wan, startled by the sudden severity, stared blankly at her.
Shu Yue paused, seeing her red-rimmed eyes and nose, her tone softening unconsciously. “With your mid-Qi Refining cultivation, you defeated an early Foundation Establishment opponent through your own comprehension and resilience. Who dares call that a disgrace?”
“Chu Yi has talent, true, but his reckless use of forbidden techniques damaged his foundation and made him impulsive—a flawed path. I set a three-year trial not to make things difficult but to temper his edges and solidify his base. Your path differs from his; there’s no need to compare.”
‘That’s right, exactly! Downplay him a bit, lift the girl up! Nailed it! I’m a linguistic genius!’
Qing Wan listened, stunned, as the words flowed like a clear spring into her parched, anxious heart.
So… this is how Senior Sister sees Brother Chu? So… she doesn’t think I’m a disgrace?
She even… acknowledged me?
An indescribable warmth surged within, easing the earlier coldness and bitterness.
But thinking of Liu Qingxu’s isolation and cold stares, she couldn’t help but murmur, “But… Sister Liu and the others…”
“What others think has nothing to do with you,” Shu Yue interrupted, a trace of impatience in her brow.
“When has Jinghong Peak’s affairs been open to outsiders’ chatter? As long as you’re here, follow my orders and practice my teachings. If anyone dares to slander or trouble you…”
Shu Yue gave a cold snort, a faint but razor-sharp sword intent radiating from her, causing nearby bamboo leaves to rustle and fall.
“…my sword will have words with them.”
‘Hmph! Liu Qingxu, try your petty tricks again, and I’ll “accidentally” slice off your hair with a sword strike! Let’s see you maintain your fairy persona then!’
These fiercely protective words, though spoken coldly, dispelled the chill and unease around Qing Wan.
She gazed at Shu Yue’s ethereal profile under the moonlight, those eyes usually filled with cold detachment now vivid with a spark of anger.
Senior Sister… was defending her.
Such a lofty, aloof figure, yet time and again appearing when she needed her, protecting her, guiding her.
Even now… clumsily comforting her.
A wave of gratitude and bittersweet emotion welled up, but this time, the tears weren’t from inferiority.
“Elder…” Qing Wan’s voice still carried a sob but was much brighter. She mustered her courage to meet Shu Yue’s eyes. “I… I’ll train hard! I’ll become stronger! I won’t… won’t let you down! And I won’t let anyone… look down on Jinghong Peak because of me!”
Her tear-streaked face now shone with unwavering determination, like tempered starlight.
Shu Yue looked into those eyes, her heart stirring slightly.
‘Oh? Her fighting spirit’s ignited? Good, good! As long as she’s not crying… that spark in her eyes is pretty bright… Hmm, she’s got potential!’
Her face remained impassive, only giving a faint “Hmm” in response.
Then, as if recalling something, she took a small, exquisite white jade bottle from her sleeve and handed it over.
“Foundation Strengthening Pill. Your spiritual power is depleted today; take it and meditate to avoid hidden injuries.” Her tone was commanding, brooking no refusal.
‘A high-grade pill—I haven’t even used many myself!’
Qing Wan looked at the bottle, knowing the pill’s immense value.
She carefully took it, her fingertips brushing the cool jade, yet feeling a warmth spread from her fingers to her heart.
“Thank you, Elder,” she said softly, clutching the bottle tightly.
“Go back,” Shu Yue said, turning away, her tone reverting to its usual chill.
“Don’t be late for tomorrow’s morning lesson.”
‘Done! Mission accomplished! Comforting people is more exhausting than fighting!’‘I hope this pulls her favorability back a bit… Wait, why am I trying to raise her favorability? I’m supposed to be surviving! Damn it, I forgot again!’
“Senior Sister, I like you!”
“!”
A soft, fleeting call, almost lost in the wind, came from behind.
Shu Yue’s steps halted abruptly.
‘??? What did she just say?! Am I hearing things?’
She spun around, but Qing Wan had already lowered her head, ears red, as if she’d committed a grave mistake, stammering, “El-Elder! This disciple… takes her leave!”
Clutching the pill bottle, she fled like a startled rabbit, not looking back, leaving only a flustered, shy silhouette.
Shu Yue stood frozen, staring at the spot where Qing Wan vanished into the bamboo grove, motionless for a long while.
The night breeze rustled the bamboo leaves.
Under the moonlight, Fairy Luyue’s face remained frosty.
Yet, some sounds only she could hear.
‘What did she say?!’
‘Why would she say that to me? In the original game, she’s supposed to say that to the male lead at this point!’
‘Is her favorability getting too high?!’
‘This is the wrong direction! My survival script isn’t written like this!’